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4 Tips for Installing Wooden Floors

If you have some handy skills and want to get your floors done by yourself without professional help, here are 4 tips to read up on before you get the wood on the floor.

Purchase good wood

If you are going for a natural wood you can choose from either a local brand or an imported wood type like Brazilian cherry. To see whether the wood is of good imported quality, check the labels for the FSC and SFI marking. Wooden flooring comes in sizes of 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inch strips or 4-8 inch wide strips. Due to the different types available, you will be able to choose a kind that suits your budget and look.

Prior to installation

It is advised that the wood you purchase for flooring must be stored for at least two weeks before fixing. This is due to the changes it may make indoors. Humidity and weather tend to have a certain effect on these wooden floors. The amount of time that wood needs to accommodate to the climate will depend from region to region. If you live in a dry location, you wouldn’t have to worry as much about storing the wood for so long. A week and less is sufficient. Until the flooring is being prepared, keep your floor clamp and other tools ready. Do not forget to detach any old tiling or carpeting that is fixed on the ground.

During installing

When the time comes for fixing the floor, keep in mind to measure the room once again. Leave a 3/8th of an inch from the edges of the walls to make space for any expansion that may happen. Start off with the longest and flat straight board that you have. Using a chalk mark guide from the inch left earlier and drill pilot holes on to the plank to attach it to the sub floor below. Using a floor clamp you can fasten 8-10 boards with a lot of pressure at once. After the first few rows are done, drill down pilot holes along the tongue of the boards and hand-nail the rolls until there is enough clearance for the pneumatic nail gun. Finally, staple the boards in and cut the baseboard off. Do not forget to fill in any gaps that are left.

Maintenance

Cleaning up hardwood floors is important if you want to be fair to the cost you paid. As it is made of wood, gravel dust and sand may scratch or get stuck between small spaces. Marks aren’t such a great sight on such classic flooring. Make sure that the products used for cleaning are made specifically for hardwood bases. Any other kind of chemical may stain or bleach it. One common mistake is using buckets of water instead of a slightly damp cloth to clean a stain. Use a damp flat mop or a microfiber head to clean up dust and hair. You can also avoid any scratches and discolouration by avoiding rubber and vinyl mats and using other materials.